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He wrote up a full, elegant letter explaining that he would retire from anime if fractal failed, as well as his reasoning for doing so. It wasn't an offhand comment or anything but a full pledge. He did this shortly after it was announced actually (I mentioned it in my previous post).

But I believe him. He's directed a live-action film now, so it's possible he's looking to expand his career anyway.

Recently, I've been agonizing quite a bit over anime. It's been bothering me for probably over a year now, in fact.

But still, in the minor aspects that I have dealt with the industry, I've had to talk about it in a number of places. But the more that I talked about it, and the more that I thought about it, the more dismal my feelings toward it became. That's how things have been.

"Maybe anime is just no good anymore"
That thought has popped up in the back of my mind countless times now.
But if I were to just give up and leave now, my conscience would be too heavy. Not to mention it would be unfair to anime as a whole, which is a part of what made me who I am today. I've finally gotten to a place where I can think that. Although it might just be stubbornness.

So although I'm prepared to face the worst case scenario, I'd like to participate one more time in an anime production as a director.

This may in fact just become a personal battle in the end. And if this fails, I am already prepared to retire. However, there's still a part of me telling me that there's still something I have to say, and in my own words. Call it faith if you like, but that's what has given me the courage to one more time, at least one more time, try to make an anime.

I don't know what'll happen from here, but I honestly hope and dream of a day when anime will shine.
See you in "Fractale".

He wrote up a full, elegant letter explaining that he would retire from anime if fractal failed, as well as his reasoning for doing so. It wasn't an offhand comment or anything but a full pledge. He did this shortly after it was announced actually (I mentioned it in my previous post).

But I believe him. He's directed a live-action film now, so it's possible he's looking to expand his career anyway.

Well, we haven't heard anything else about that film so I guess he shouldn't leave his day job yet.

But really, just because the other types of anime are flourishing doesn't mean that you have to take it down when your product doesn't.

Yamakan is the "Itagaki" of the anime world and he's awesome for that, now all he has to do is wear dark shades everywhere and after Fractal bombs announce his comeback in 2015 so all us fanboys can go "He has fing returned!". (after saying he shall return for the 4 years prior)

From Yamakan's letter I get the idea that he is not sure if he can make the kind of anime series he wants to and have it be successful. I'm sure it will be if he puts his heart in it; but talk about pressure?

Recently, I've been agonizing quite a bit over anime. It's been bothering me for probably over a year now, in fact.

But still, in the minor aspects that I have dealt with the industry, I've had to talk about it in a number of places. But the more that I talked about it, and the more that I thought about it, the more dismal my feelings toward it became. That's how things have been.

"Maybe anime is just no good anymore"
That thought has popped up in the back of my mind countless times now.
But if I were to just give up and leave now, my conscience would be too heavy. Not to mention it would be unfair to anime as a whole, which is a part of what made me who I am today. I've finally gotten to a place where I can think that. Although it might just be stubbornness.

So although I'm prepared to face the worst case scenario, I'd like to participate one more time in an anime production as a director.

This may in fact just become a personal battle in the end. And if this fails, I am already prepared to retire. However, there's still a part of me telling me that there's still something I have to say, and in my own words. Call it faith if you like, but that's what has given me the courage to one more time, at least one more time, try to make an anime.

I don't know what'll happen from here, but I honestly hope and dream of a day when anime will shine.
See you in "Fractale".

--Yamamoto Yutaka

Personally, I read it as more of a heavyhanded muse than a pledge.

Preparedness to retire (and over in the game industry, you have people saying those kinds of things from time to time) doesn't necessarily imply a commitment to follow through on it. It's a bit similar to saying that you're prepared to sacrifice your life for your product.

The other question is the meaning of success or failure. Is it critical? Commercial? Artistic? Ratings based (it's noitaminA, so a show could be a money loser but still be considered some kind of success based on relative viewership)? Focused on niche success or something broader? There's no clear definition except for what's currently in Yamakan's mind, or what he establishes after the fact.

In that way, I can't interpret it as anything more than doublespeak. He might truly be thinking about exiting the industry, but the statement would be equally valid even if he weren't.

^ based on Yamakan's past traits and dramas, he is definitely talking about commercial success. Even though it might be nothing more than a double speak, it's pretty much fact all over the 2ch now that he will retire if this fails.

Yeah it's pretty obvious he's referring to commercial success. But I suppose you might be right about it being a bluff of some sort. However, I do think he's sick of his anime career or at least wants to move into live-action more. In interviews he's vented frustration about the anime industry. Retirement from something isn't usually something mentioned casually. But no one will know for sure until the DVD/BD sales come along.

Nice! Kana-chan is voicing the energetic loli ~
Always good to hear Kobayashi Yuu as always, even though I'm not a huge fan of her boy roles. Maybe this one will help me forgot the terrible main character of Ookami Kakushi...